Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-02-03

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However, | thought 1t did not much
matter, for the line was signaled clear
in front of us, and the damage done
was, as yet, simply a little waste of
coal. In few minutes our speed In
creased enormously. and l calculated
we were travelling at the rate of seventy
miles an hour. thought it was time
to demonstrate, and turning to Morgan
noticed that the indicator showed full
speed. I called his attention to the
fact and begged him to reduce the speed
or we should run into BlintOn without
being able to stop.
"Ha, ha - he cried in reply. "Stop! /!
| am never going to stop again l told
you I'd make her travel. What do you
want to stop for ? Get on, old wench,
get on !" Then he burst into a hide
Gus peal of laughter.
A cold sweat of absolute terror broke
out on me as I realized the state OF
things. Here was raving maniac,
far stronger man than myself in charge
of train full of people. bit my lips
and clenched my hands, ana tried to
collect my scattered ideas and decide
what was best to be done. Meanwhile,
Morgan sat on rail near the boiler
fourishlng a shovel and shouting up
roariously. The train rushed on with
incredible speed, not steadily and even
ly, but with leaps aud bounds, that
| threatened to cast the engine off the
line at every yard. There was no doubt
the man was as mad as man could be,
and he was also master of the situation.
| made one effort TO reach the handle
by which the steam is turned off I; but
the madman was too sharp for me.
"NO, you don't y he shouted, and he
brought his shovel down with tremen-
dous blow on the rail at my side. just
missing my head. 1t was plain could
DO nothing by force. Would stratagem
be of any use Z?
looked out at the country; time was
running short +; we were not more than
twenty miles from Blinton Junction
and if we did not stop there, the whole
train must inevitably be wrecked, and
probably not one passenger would
escape uninjured, and but few with
their liyes. l looked back at the train.
Outside the windows were hands gesti-
culating, aud frightened, alarmed faces.
At tie end of the train the guard was
waving red flag. something must be
done, and by me or we should all be in
eyitably lost. made up my mind. i
turned to Morgan with a smile on my
face, and said: sold boy, you're quite
right; this is fine pace but it amt
quite fast enough. Look here ~ and I
caught him by the arm and led him to
the side of the engine next TO the double
rail. "See - cried; "there is another
train coming up faster than us, and she
will pass us; we must 60 faster but
let's see first who is driving her ; lean
forward and look. Can you see 2"
The poor maniac stepped outside the
rail and leaned forward to look for the
imaginary train, when gave him
sudden push, and he fell in heap on
the rails and was killed on the spot.
With a gasp of relief l sprang back to
the engine and turned off the steam. 1t
was not a'moment too soon. We were
well in sight of Blinton Junction be-
fore had the train properly under con-
troll. l pulled up at the platform all
right, and then tainted.
When | came to I was lying on a
bench in the waiting room. and the iu-
spector was standing oyer me, with his
note book IN his hand preparing to take
down my statement. What l stated
was, that the engine driver had gone
mad, and that, to save the lives OF the
passengers, 1 had knocked him off the
engine just in time to get the train un-
der control before running into the
station. This was corroborated by the
guard and several passengers, and the
case was brought before the solicitors
Of the company. L gave my evidence
at the inquest and heard no more of the
matter until one day the passenger su.
perintendent handed me ten sovereigns
and letter appointing me station mas
ter at Little Mudford. 1t was evident
that the directors condoned my con-
duct, and | hope that my readers will
agree with them, and, in consideration
of my haying saved train full of peo-,
pie, will acquit me Of murder, and
bring in verdict OF justiiable homi-
eide.